Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite
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4 Reviews for Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
44
18
'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Tenaya Lodge - Oh yeah"
My family of 2 adults and our 3 & 6 year-old children stayed at Tenaya Lodge for 2 nights on a weekend in September. We came when the weather was a little chilly and rainy, but before the real winter began.
The surroundings are truly beautiful. It is a very calming and relaxing place to stay.
The staff was accommodating, kind and helpful.
We stayed in the Deluxe Room with 2 double beds. The room was very nice, had average accommodations that you would expect (refrigerator, desk).
The lodge had both indoor and outdoor pools, and given the time of year we were able to use the indoor pool. The pool was very nice and I noticed pool diapers for infants. Connected to the indoor pool is an arcade with a good handful of games, a nice place to blow a couple bucks if your kids are tired of the room.
We ate at both the Sierra Lodge and the Timberloft Pizzeria. We weren't crazy about the Pizzeria, but we were happy to find a place with a salad bar. The buffet at Sierra Lodge was included with our room package, and we enjoyed that a lot!
Overall, I really enjoyed staying at the lodge, found it very kid-friendly and plush.
The one down-side was the length of travel time to the heart of Yosemite-about 1.5 hours. For that reason I would try to stay in the Park if possible. But I'd love to go back to Tenaya Lodge.
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0 families found this helpful
"Family friendly mountain resort"
This mountain lodge is located near one of our favorite places in all of the United States: Yosemite! Our family loved staying at this resort in the beautiful mountains with so many fun activities to keep us occupied for several days.
What we loved:
- Beautiful location in the mountains near Yosemite National Park.
- Outdoor and indoor pool that our kids loved to swim in.
- Hikes, rock wall climbing, and archery activities for the whole family.
- A comfortable room that slept all 6 of us.
What we weren’t as keen on:
- Dining options were expensive but the food was good.
- No complimentary breakfast.
- No complimentary WiFi.
- Lots of bees at the outdoor pool.
CLOSE LOCATION TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK:
The Tenaya Lodge is located two miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite, but it will take approximately one hour to drive to Yosemite Valley. Because we have visited the valley many times, we decided to stay at the Lodge for our 2 night stay and just enjoy the pine trees, hike to the creek and all the other fun activities of the Lodge.
OUTDOOR AND INDOOR POOL:
The beautiful summer weather convinced us that we had to be outdoors swimming in the large pool surrounded by pine trees and beautiful plants. It was gorgeous! My little kids really enjoyed swimming in the shallow 2 ½-3 foot deep half circle of the shallow end where they could just barely touch the bottom. My older boys swam the length of the pool, which got no deeper than five feet. A nice extra touch was the complimentary swim diapers available poolside. (Thankfully, my kids don’t need them anymore!) The only drawback to the outside pool was that the local bees also liked it. We had to carefully avoid stepping on 5-10 bees as we entered or exited the pool. They were surrounding the pool in order to drink the water that was collecting on the deck. Because there is a nearby bee colony, they cannot be eradicated, but I was told that they only come seasonally. If your family cannot handle bees, or you visit in the winter, the indoor pool is just as great as the outdoor pool. It is very large with a spacious deck surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs. Skylights and picture windows let in the beautiful mountain scenery. My kids loved it just as much!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES:
Many activities offered by the Tenaya Lodge could keep families busy for days without even venturing to Yosemite National Park or the nearby Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for an historic train ride. During our first day, the boys climbed the 25-foot rock wall, shot arrows at targets, and swam in both of the pools. When I first saw the climbing wall, sitting out in the parking lot, I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t set among the trees or in a mountain setting, but my boys and my husband didn’t care. My 10 year old told me repeatedly during the afternoon how much fun he had conquering the “easy section” and how he almost made it up the “moderate section.” Our family took a one-mile hike along a nature trail down to “Big Creek” where we threw rocks in the water and waded in the cold stream. Along our walk we saw dogwood trees, a lush meadow, and a young grove (100 years old!) of Giant Sequoias that looked relatively small, but will be incredible giants some day. The dusty climb back up the hill to the Lodge was the hardest part of the hike, but it was still fun. A five-mile round trip trail from the hotel goes to a waterfall along Big Creek. Mountain bikes in many sizes (down to approximately 16-inch wheels) were available to rent, with the option to take an arduous ride down to a Giant Sequoia grove approximately 12 miles away. Some of the many other activities that are available are an arcade, a gift shop, flashlight hikes, guided nature hikes, fishing gear, and a kid’s club. The Kid’s Adventure Club offers five hours of kid activities, a meal, outdoor play, video games, a craft room and many other activities. It’s a great option to occupy youngsters while parents enjoy time at dinner or the brand new spa.
COMFORTABLE BEDS AND SPACIOUS ROOMS:
After we had taken our hike down to Big Creek and breathed in as much of the delicious pine scent as we could, we figured that checking into our room would be a good decision! Our family of six slept very comfortably on two double beds and a pull-out couch in our room. There was plenty of extra room for a pack-n-play (not needed this time) and suitcases. We liked using the little fridge in the bathroom for keeping our diet cokes and our leftover dinners cold. The room had a nice flat screen TV, a couch, a desk, a coffee maker with complimentary coffee, and a porch with chairs to enjoy the mountain air. Regular suites and deluxe suites with Jacuzzi tubs and dining areas are also available. WiFi is available in room for $9.95 per day.
WINTER ACTIVITIES:
We visited in August, and I must say that I was almost jealous of winter visitors when I heard of all of the fun activities offered to guests and families when the weather turns cold. Topping our family’s “wish list” would be to skate at the outdoor ice rink, sled down the sled run, take a ride on a horse drawn sleigh, and participate in the gingerbread house building projects in the large ballroom and conference rooms. Many other holiday programs, crafts, and activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dinner with Santa, are offered when the snow glistens on the trees. The 5,000-foot elevation of Tenaya Lodge promises lots of months of snow and winter activities.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
Several special events occur during the summers that families will love. The Summerdale BBQ invites visitors to the Wild West for an outdoor feast with live music, a campfire and s’mores. Evening Ranger talks take place on Monday and Friday evenings to share stories, legends, and fun. Check the website for details.
DINING OPTIONS:
There are four restaurants and a deli to choose from for meals at the Tenaya Lodge. Our family’s favorite was the Timberloft Pizzeria for it’s family-friendly atmosphere, delicious pizzas, and reasonable prices. The Jackalopes Bar & Grill and the Sierra Restaurant offer a variety of meals and their patios are more family friendly than the quiet interior. The average price for an entrée was $17 and a kid’s meal was $7.95, drinks included. The Sierra Restaurant provides a great looking breakfast buffet, but we saved some significant dinero by bringing bananas and granola bars from the grocery store. Embers Restaurant is the perfect place for mom and dad to enjoy an elegant dinner if your children are visiting the Kid’s Club. The mountain town of Oakhurst is less than 30 minutes down the hill and offers many good dining options as well.
ASCENT SPA:
Down in the lower level of the Lodge resides the brand new spa that invites guests to relax and refresh themselves. For this visit, I didn’t experience a treatment, but I did get to tour the facilities. The beautiful spa is decorated in a mountain color theme and offers facials, massages, pedicures, and more to women, men, couples and groups. What fun it would be to come with a group of moms and get pampered! A steam room and sauna encourage relaxation at Ascent, but the Tenaya Lodge also offers a second steam room and sauna on the main level next to the arcade and indoor pool for all the guests.
ECO-FRIENDLY:
During dinner at the Timberloft restaurant, we noticed that the heavy-duty paper plates we were served with were labeled “tree-free.” We had quite an interesting discussion, trying to figure out what they were made from and it led to being able to teach our children the value of using recycled materials before other resources. The company that runs the Tenaya Lodge (DNC) also services many National Parks with the goal of encouraging recycling and using resources efficiently through it’s “Green Path” program. I thought it was a great way to run a resort and I was thankful that it wasn’t too heavy handed.
STROLLER TIPS: Walking through the Lodge and along the few sidewalks is very stroller friendly. However, if your family goes to the Summerdale BBQ, it would be helpful to know that it is down a mountain path that starts with a double flight of narrow steps. Not stroller friendly. The trail to Big Creek would be jogger stroller friendly and the path to the Timberloft Pizzeria is regular stroller friendly, but families will have to walk on the side of the street that leads to the Lodge. There is no separate sidewalk.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Tenaya Lodge is a great family-friendly destination for a getaway or for an exciting adventure. Whether families visit in the summer or winter, they will find more activities than they could ever hope to participate in. Great fun awaits!
This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Tenaya Lodge with archery and rock climbing included. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not request that I express a particular point of view. The opinions I write are entirely my own.
1 family found this helpful
"Comfortable rooms, beautiful setting"
We stayed two nights at the Tenaya Lodge with our two children. We stayed in a suite- we got the king sized bed and the kids slept in the other room in a sofa-bed. Staff were kid friendly. My kids loved swimming in the pool every evening after hiking around Yosemite during the day. We ate in the nicer hotel restaurant one night, but were not impressed with the food. We had better luck driving into Oakhurst and finding a restaurant for dinner. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely return.
We stayed here again in February 2010 to enjoy the winter wonderland. Our stay at the hotel was just as nice and relaxing. We enjoyed skiing at Badger Pass, which is about a 45 minute drive. The kids enjoyed ice skating at the rink located at the hotel. We did not use the sledding hill at the hotel, but thought it was a nice option for those with little kids. As usual, we found ourselves at the pool at the end of the day. We recommend the BBQ restaurant in Oakhurst, sorry I can't remember the name, but it's on the left side as you're driving from the hotel before you reach the center of the town of Oakhurst. It's a very casual restaurant, but the food was great!
0 families found this helpful
"Casual yet luxurious"
A destination resort overlooking
forested mountains and valleys,
five minutes from the southern gate of
Yosemite National Park. The two-story
atrium lobby and the restaurants have a
casual yet luxurious feel and are decorated
with Indian artifacts and Westernstyle
furnishings. In the spacious,
elegant rooms are many amenities:
ironing boards, coffeemakers, Nintendo;
some have two double beds and a sitting
area with sofa bed. Recreational facilities
include a full-service spa and fitness center,
saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, a
playground, and a snow-play area. Tours
from the hotel get you into the park and
to the Badger Pass ski area.
Kids check in at their own station at
the front desk and pick up an activity
pack. Camp Tenaya day camp is popular
with 5- to 12-year-olds who like volleyball,
table tennis, swimming, games,
movies, music, crafts, and nature hikes.
Campers get personal attention and special
meals, and there are evening programs,
too. Babysitting can be arranged
for toddlers.
You can hike right from the lodge
through pine forests and along streamsides.
Bikes are available at the hotel,
and you can walk to a stable for guided
horseback rides. Cross-country ski out
the door and rent equipment here too,
to ski on your own or take a guided tour.
Barbecue evenings start with a
horse-drawn wagon ride to the cookout,
with campfire singing and marshmallow
roasting with cowpokes.
Location.
This Fish Camp family friendly resort is located in the mountains near Yosemite National Park.
Mariposa Grove of Sequoias, Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad and Bass Lake are local points of interest.
Features.
Dining options at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite include the Timberloft Pizzeria, Sierra Restaurant, Jackalope's Bar & Grill, and Embers Fine Dining. Recreational amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool, a
health club, a spa tub, a sauna, and a Adventure's Kid's club.
Recreational Activities are dependent upon season and include: archery, rock wall climbing, guided nature hikes, mountain bike rentals, ice-skating, snow-shoeing, horse drawn sleigh rides, holiday events and more.
Ascent Spa
amenities include spa services, massage/treatment rooms, and beauty
services. They are now welcoming kids into their spa at limited times with a whole new 'SpaKids' program. This 4.0 star property has a business center and offers
meeting rooms for small groups, audio visual equipment, and
business services. Wireless Internet access is available in public
areas and rooms for a fee. This Fish Camp property has event space consisting of
banquet facilities, conference rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit
space. Wedding services and tour assistance are available. Guest
parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a
coffee shop/café, valet parking, and a concierge desk.
Guestrooms.
There are 294 guestrooms at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Bathrooms
feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair
dryers. In addition to complimentary newspapers, guestrooms offer
phones with voice mail. Televisions have satellite channels, video
game consoles, and pay movies. Air conditioned rooms also include
desks, coffee/tea makers, blackout drapes/curtains, and electronic
check out. Guests may request a turndown service and wake up calls.
Housekeeping is available. Cribs (infant beds) and rollaway beds
are available on request.
Check-In: 8 a.m.
Check-Out: 8 a.m.
Number of Rooms: 294
Number of Suites: 0
Non Smoking Rooms Available: yes
Handicap Accessibility: yes
Pets: yes
Website:
http://www.tenayalodge.com
Recreational Facilities:
Pool
Fitness Facility
Games
Services:
In house Restaurant
In house Bar
High Speed Internet
WIFI
Children's Equipment
Full size cribs
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